About the project

Since its founding, the fashion studio has succeeded in building a strong position thanks to its unique and sophisticated designs.  Its fashion shows have become a tradition and are frequently visited by renowned artists, celebrities, businesspeople, politicians, bankers, ambassadors and members of the press. However, Lýdia’s road to success was not always easy. She wanted to build a sought-after brand-name couture house and had to invest enormous amounts of time and energy to make her dreams come true. And she succeeded, thanks to her family, loyal colleagues and clients who believed in her and supported her for all those years.  Lýdia appreciates their trust and considers her success a common achievement of all those who support her work.

Lýdia does not measure her success by the number of prestigious fashion shows and runways where her work is presented. Nor does she measure it by the number of celebrities wearing her designs. However, her studio’s successful history is worth mentioning. Since it opened on May 2, 1991, the studio has adopted a philosophy of individual approach to client needs. The studio stresses detail and emphasizes a talent for choosing top quality fabrics, precision dressmaking, a large percentage of handwork. Lýdia has always aimed very high and thanks to her enthusiasm and hard work, her efforts have gradually started to produce results: 

• 1991–1997 - the studio organizes numerous fashion shows in cities across Slovakia, including Bratislava, Košice, Banská Bystrica, Prešov, Červený Kameň, Dolná Krupá, Bojnice and Nitra; 

• 1995 - OPTIGEN (Italy) launches a LÝDIA  ECKHARDT line of fashion eyewear; 

• 1995-1996 – fashion shows are organized in Prague under the auspices of the Slovak Ambassador to the Czech Republic. Reporters from Czech television networks (NOVA, PREMIÉRA), media representatives and many prominent guests attend; 

• May 2, 1996 – a new, representative studio LÝDIA ECKHARDT is opened at a prestigious address in the very heart of Bratislava, on Hviezdoslavovo Square (Hviezdoslavovo námestie 20);

• 1996 – the BONN  FASHION SHOW in Germany  is held under the auspices of the Chairwoman of the German parliament, RITA SUSMUND.  This exclusive viewing is hosted  by Slovak Ambassador Pavol Hamžík and his wife; 

• October 1996 – the studio is honored by a visit from a very special guest, Patricia Gucci (granddaughter of the famous designer Gucci)

• 1996 –The LÝDIA ECKHARDT limited lines are launched; 

• 1996 - Production of LÝDIA ECKHARDT hand-painted scarves begins; 

• 1997 – a successful fashion show is held in Vienna with accredited ambassadors to Austria and the Austrian media (ORF Television) in attendance;

• 1997 – a major fashion show is held in Prague as part of the program celebrating 50 years since the founding of the CENTROTEX company; 

• 1998 – Lýdia Eckhardt receives the GOLDEN BIATEC Award, a prestigious award of the Economic Club granted to the most successful businessperson in 1998; 

• 1999 – Prague - MUNICIPAL HOUSE – a large-scale fashion show is organized as part of a presentation of the Slovak fashion industry in the Czech Republic;

• 1996 – 2008 Lýdia Eckhardt closely cooperates with the FORZA Production House to design and produce pieces presented at the MISS Slovakia beauty pageant and abroad; 

• 2003 – LÝDIA ECKHARDT designs are presented at an exhibition in Dusseldorf, Germany; 

• 2006 – the Mayor of Bratislava presents LÝDIA ECKHARDT with an award for “Business Achievement of the Year”; 

• 2007 - the studio introduces a new line of men’s suits called LÝDIA ECKHARDT – PERFORMANCE 

On April 21, 2006, Lýdia Eckhardt was presented with the Business Achievement 2006 Award by the Mayor of Bratislava, Andrej Ďurkovský. The Mayor acknowledged her unique contribution to the development of both fashion design and the fashion industry as a whole in Slovakia after 1990.  He also pointed out that she has been successfully representing Slovakia abroad. 

Despite all of this, Lydia has never let success go to her head. She values those things that are most important to her – health, and good relationships with her family, colleagues and clients.